Al-Hamadi: I Felt the Love Throughout My Time at Stoke - Ipswich Town News
Blues striker Ali Al-Hamadi has thanked everyone at Stoke City following the completion of his loan spell with the Championship side.
Iraq international Al-Hamadi joined the Potters on loan in January and went on to make 11 starts and four sub appearances, scoring twice, as Mark Robins’s side finished 18th in the table, only two points off the relegation zone.
"Thank you for taking me in as one of your own for these last three months,” the 23-year-old wrote on Instagram.
"We obviously felt the relief as a collective for avoiding a disastrous end to the season, but that should by no means take away from the fact that this football club is too big to be constantly in this situation.
"We all exhausted ourselves to try and end the season as best as possible. I have full faith that this club can get back where it belongs.
"Thanks to all the staff, coaches, everyone behind the scenes and the boys for making it somewhat enjoyable considering the circumstances.
"Thank you to the fans who sang my name home and away. I felt the love throughout and enjoyed every minute of being here.”
Al-Hamadi, who joined the Blues from AFC Wimbledon in January 2024, is contracted to Town until the summer of 2028.
What to read next:
Slicker Impresses Barnet Boss on League DebutBlues keeper Cieran Slicker made his league debut for loan club Barnet but couldn’t prevent the Bees from falling to a 2-0 defeat to Bromley at Hayes Lane in League Two, however, the Scotland international impressed manager Dean Brennan.
Birmingham Issue Statement on Taylor AssaultBirmingham City have issued a statement regarding the incident in which Jack Taylor appeared to assaulted by a supporter as Town celebrated George Hirst’s 95th-minute penalty in last night’s 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.
U18s Beat Canaries in FriendlyTown’s U18s beat their Norwich City counterparts 2-0 in their final friendly of pre-season at Playford Road this morning.
Davies: Two Harsh DecisionsBirmingham City manager Chris Davies felt the Blues profited from two harsh decisions by referee Andrew Kitchen during last night’s 1-1 draw in the Championship’s season opener at St Andrew’s.
Hirst: Handball is a HandballGeorge Hirst felt referee Andrew Kitchen made the correct decision in awarding Town a stoppage time penalty in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
McKenna: We Found a Way to Battle For a PointTown boss Kieran McKenna felt his side found a way to battle for what he believes could prove to be an important point his side drew 1-1 at Birmingham City and revealed that the club has reported the incident in which Jack Taylor was assaulted by a fan following George Hirst’s late, late penalty to the authorities.